bought a poisonous plant from shopko

[Brett Hartwig]

tell me what you think- I bought some perennials from shopko to plant at our new house. A couple of burning bushes, some daylillys and one plant called a foxglove. So, my mother-in-law tells me the foxglove is poisonous and get rid of it. Of course, I say, no way. Shopko isn't going to sell a toxic plant on the front sidewalk of their store for anybody to touch. Well, after some research, it is in fact very poisonous. the digitoxin that I see RN's give patients in the ER comes from the flowers. It is a potent cardiac drug that kill! So now I don't know whether to throw it out or take it back to Shopko and say " what the FU&%^!" Do they know this or is it just safe to say that all plants could be like this? Not sure where to go with this.

 

[Richard L]

First off, did you buy the plants for looks, or were you planning on eating them???



There are many ornametal plants found in many yards that are poisonus to humans and animals. If you have very small children, then you probably don't want the plant in your yard. However, if your kids are old enough to know that they should not eat the shrubbery, then it should not be a problem.



...Rich

 

[Robert Caffyn]

I have a bunch growing around my yard, no worries. The amount of Digitalis that could be derived from eating a bit of the plant is minimal. Also, lillies are poisonous, so are rhododendrons, onions are toxic to animals and the list goes on..... Make your yard look nice and enjoy all the colors. Plant whatever fits in, wouldn't worry, like Rich says "you planning on eating them???" Bob

 

[Les]

However, if your kids are old enough to know that they should not eat the shrubbery, then it should not be a problem.

This should be your only concern.

 

[Andy Chase]

So are Poinsettia's

 

[Tom Schindler]

Most plants are poisonous. Why? This is how nature protects itself. As others have said, many common houseplants are poisonous.



If this was for dinner, be concerned. If it is because it is pretty, let it grow and make sure your kids don't eat them.



A common food, rhubarb has poisonous leaves, but the stems are perfectly safe to eat.





Tom

 

[Gavin Allan]

Mak your mother-in-law a nice Foxglove salad and make up!

 

[Brett Hartwig]

understood. I suppose there are thousands of plants and flowers that are toxic if you researched them a bit. I think I am going to plant the foxglove and enjoy its beauty. The kids are 5 years old and I have always preached to them the dangers of eating plants or berries from the woods. I think thats the route to go... don't eat the shrubbery! It's not food. THanks

 

[user 64972]

Gavin, Gavin Gavin!



:bwahaha:

 

[Roger Batts]

Good one, Gavin! However, some of us get along better with our in-laws than we do our own parents!